Chapter 9 - Motions
and amendments
Resolutions and
orders
The Senate makes decisions by resolutions and orders. A resolution is a
statement of the Senate’s opinion which does not direct that any action be
taken in relation to the matter which is the subject of the resolution; for
example, a resolution expressing concern about a situation in a foreign
country. Orders are requirements that some action be taken by some person or
body subject to the direction of the Senate; for example, an order directing that
a standing committee inquire into and report upon a particular matter, and an
order that documents be produced to the Senate by the person who has the
custody of the documents. (For duration of resolutions and orders, see below.)
This distinction between resolutions and orders is not observed in
usage. Generally speaking, only procedural orders, for example, the standing
orders, and orders for the production of documents, are referred to as orders,
while all other decisions, including many that are technically orders, are
referred to as resolutions. Thus the group of orders concerned with matters of
privilege agreed to by the Senate on 25 February 1988 are referred to as
the Privilege Resolutions.
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